Article by Robert Vîrdol – Published Tuesday, 05 May 2026, 16:04 / Updated Tuesday, 05 May 2026 16:04
The former Giulești midfielder Costin Lazăr (45 years old) analyzed the situation from Rapid and proposed three names of coaches in the increasingly likely scenario in which, at the end of the season, Costel Gâlcă (54 years old), the team's technician, will end his tenure at the formation from Giulesti.
Rapid Bucharest was defeated 2-1 by CFR Cluj and thus reached its third consecutive failure. The team is out of the European Cup places, and if it ends the season in the last places in the play-offs, Costel Gâlcă would leave the team for not fulfilling the objective.
Costin Lazăr: “Ovidiu Sabău, Marius Măldărășanu and Daniel Pancu should have a chance”
Costin Lazăr, on the left, next to Marius Măldărășanu, at the time when he played for Rapid
Costin Lazăr mentioned that he appreciates the style of Costel Gâlcă, but, in case he leaves Giulesti, he would like a technician who is connected to the Grant Bridge. Thus, he proposed Ioan Ovidiu Sabău, Marius Măldărășanu and Daniel Pancu to lead the team. The latter is the technician from CFR Cluj, and the team from Gruia would like to keep him in the next season as well.
“At the moment, Rapid is bad morale and mentally, being in a slump. The team was leading for a good period, and now it is in a collapse. The players should make the difference, but if they make mistakes more and more, it ends here. I think it is a total lack of confidence. When you no longer have confidence, you are no longer the same player. There is also the pressure of the fans. If you do not get results, patience disappears.
If they lose the play-offs they should be more careful about transfers and what they bring in, including the right people in management. It is clear that Mr. Gâlcă will not stay, but those who will come will have enormous pressure. If it was not possible this year, it must be possible next year. In the play-off, they happened to meet in-form teams stage by stage, and if you keep going like this, with defeats, confidence weakens.
For example, Dinamo has continuity because the coach had a free hand, he brought what he wanted and the results came. Rapid has a greater financial possibility and expected more. There are many to blame, the only ones who are not to blame are the supporters. Public pressure matters too.
Now I'm thinking of a Romanian coach. I see Ioan Ovidiu Sabău or Marius Măldărășanu and, why not, Daniel Pancu. He has shown that he is a good and disciplined coach. The three should have a chance.
I also like Costel Gâlcă, he is serious and professional, but you also need support from those on the sidelines. Either you give credit to the coach and move on with him, or you make a clear change”, said Costin Lazăr for GSP.
